Football League Attendances Up In 2016/17

With the curtain coming down on the three Football League tiers, the EFL have released figures showing that more than 18million fans walked through the turnstiles in the season of 2016/17.

Whilst the Championship was hugely boosted by the arrival of Aston Villa and Newcastle United who accounted for almost a 2million boost between them, there was still a 3% rise for the 67 EFL clubs who remained in the pyramid this season and last.

Overall it meant an 11% increase on the 2015/16 campaign and it registers as the highest cumulative attendances for almost 60 years – 1958/59 saw a figure of 18.8million enter grounds across the county.

The Championship saw more than 11million supporters attend matches across the year with Newcastle averaging an attendance of more than 51,000 and Aston Villa second with more than 32,000.

League One and Two Champions Sheffield United and Portsmouth had the highest average crowds in their respective divisions with Bramall Lane seeing just under 22,000 and Fratton Park close to 17,000.

‘Football attendances clearly benefit from promotion and relegation as those teams carrying larger supporter bases move around divisions. But what is particularly pleasing with this latest set of data is the fact the EFL has seen a 3 per cent growth season-on-season when this factor is removed and you analyse the attendances of the 67 clubs who have been members for the past two seasons. It is clear to see that the EFL continues to be one of the most watched football competitions and our clubs deserve huge credit for continuing to find new and innovative ways of encouraging supporters through their turnstiles.’

Adding.

‘We know that supporters continue to be the lifeblood of our game and the long-term future of the football in this country is looking very healthy, with more and more people choosing to follow their local clubs week in, week out. I would like to offer my thanks to everyone that has supported their club by attending a match this season.’